DISAPPOINTING RESPONSE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 231, 29 September 1945, Page 6

DISAPPOINTING RESPONSE

AMBULANCE FUND APPEAL.

"This was a chance for the public to show its appreciation and to assist us to prepare for peacetime activities," said Mr. J. E. Beachen, chairman of the appeal.committee,of the St. John Ambulance Association and Brigade, when expressing disappointment at the response of the public to the appeal for £10,000 made by the association. So far the appeal had realised only £3850, he said. It had been expected, said Mr. Beachen, that /donations apart from the street collection would amount to about £5000, but to date only £2100 had been received from business firms and friends, in response to 4000 appeal forms sent out. Many of the forms had not been returned, although a number of £100 cheques had been included in those returned. The street collection held yesterday gained £1750, although there were not as many collectors on the street as usual. Heavy rain during the afternoon was an unfortunate feature of the day, but women collectors'and cadets of the Order of St. John remained at collecting points in the city and suburbs. The best district return was from Birkenhead where £155 was collected. Other high returns were from Mount Eden (£135), Newmarket (£130), waterside workers (£122), and Otahuhu (£107).

Although 28 days had been set aside for the appeal, Mr. Beachen added, the association was still prepared to accept donations.